Rectangular flaps on the rat or mouse dorsum are frequently used for flap survival elongation research. However, since rectangular flaps are purely random, the survival rate varies among individuals. A reliable animal flap model with low individual variation is desirable for flap survival research, especially in the angiogenic field. We investigated the survival rate of paired flaps in the rat ...

Dna2 is a nuclease/helicase with proposed roles in DNA replication, double-strand break repair and telomere maintenance. For each role Dna2 is proposed to process DNA substrates with a 50-flap. To date, however, Dna2 has not revealed a preference for binding or cleavage of flaps over single-stranded DNA. Using DNA binding competition assays we found that Dna2 has substrate structure specificity...

Achieving adequate coverage of soft tissue defects located on the lower third of the legs and feet is challenging for reconstructive surgeons. Fasciocutaneous flaps can be used to meet this challenge. Two common fasciocutaneous flaps used in this context are the reverse sural flap and lateral supramalleolar flap (LSMF). Plastic and reconstructive surgeons are relatively unfamiliar with the seco...

The design of circulation control (CC) dual radius flap systems were investigated to characterize the parameters that make up the flap surface to offer further knowledge into the CC field of study. Multiple dual radius flap geometries, along with variants, were developed by varying specific flap parameters from a baseline configuration that had previously developed. The aerodynamics of the diff...

The distal third of the tibia, ankle and heel area is difficult to reconstruct. For small to medium size defects, local flaps are often an easier alternative than free flap. In lower limb surgery, the sural flap is based on this principle and this flap is becoming increasingly popular. The distally based superficial sural artery flap, first described as a distally based neuro skin flap by masqu...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare patient satisfaction following unilateral pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) and free abdominal flap reconstruction. METHODS Patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction using pedicled TRAM or free abdominal flaps (muscle-sparing TRAM or deep inferior epigastric perforator flap) and completed the BREAST-Q wer...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine the causes of head and neck free flap loss and to evaluate outcomes after subsequent microvascular and non-microvascular reconstruction. METHODS Patients who experienced free flap loss between 2000 and 2012 were reviewed. RESULTS There were 40 flap losses out of 3090 free flaps (1.3%). Twenty-eight patients underwent subsequent free flap...

approached with care, and either neovascularization across the flap should be confirmed or the main vascular pedicle should be left intact. We report a case of the total loss of a flap after a secondary operation was performed 18 months after successful reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi muscle flap. There is controversy concerning flap neovascularization, and many factors can compromise f...

PURPOSE To determine how refractive error, visual acuity, and high-order aberrations (3rd- and 4th-order) are affected by the formation of a lamellar corneal flap during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING University refractive surgery center. METHODS The effect of lamellar corneal flap formation was analyzed in 15 myopic eyes (mean preoperative refraction -4.72 diopters [D] [rang...